HIGHLIGHTS

Supreme Court today partly scrapped Section 377

As per Section 377, consensual homosexual sex was criminal offence

Today's Supreme Court verdict decriminalises that

What did they argue?

We are gay, lesbian and bisexual citizens whose rights to sexuality, sexual autonomy, choice of sexual partners, privacy, dignity and equality along with other fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution are violated by Section 377. Despite our achievements and contributions to India in various fields, we are being denied the right to sexuality, the most basic and inherent of fundamental rights.

Keshav Suri (right), top businessman and the executive director of Lalit Hotels

What was his argument?

I constantly live under the threat of a false prosecution, and is, therefore, unable to live a life of dignity whereby I can exercise my choice to have sexual relations with my partner with whom I have been with for a decade now.

20 IITians also fought on

Criminalisation of Section 377 has resulted in a sense of shame, loss of self esteem and stigma. Despite being amongst the brightest minds in the country with the best possible opportunities available in terms of career, we are nevertheless criminalised by the archaic colonial provision in section 377 and are deprived of the rights and freedom guaranteed to them by the constitution.

I was busy training my staff on how to reach out to homosexuals when I was beaten up in public along with my 4 colleagues. I went through hell during 47 days in police custody. Cops often screamed and slapped. I was abused, tortured and humiliated because of an archaic law that said I was a criminal